Observational Learning -- Chapter 10

Social Observational Learning

- Active Model... O[Mb --> S +/- o = observer Mb= Model's Behavior S- Positive or negative consequences - Vicariously Reinforced - Vicariously Punished: seeing sibling get grounded for something; you won't produce that behavior

Downside of Observational Learning

- Agression (TV, Video Games) - Criminal Behavior - Possible third variable

Bandora's Social Cognitive Theory

- Attentional Processes --> self-directed: we can self direct what we attend to - Rational Processes: evaluating consequences - Motor-Reproductive - Motivational Processes: have to want to learn; internally driven

Applications

- Education - Social Change

Influence

- Hearing feedback provided for someone else can influence our response - picture pairs, first word to come to mind

Imitation

- Imitate - Over-Imitate: starts to pull into other situations (kids swearing) - Generalized Imitation: Behavior is only relevant in a specific situations (road rage)

Observational Learning

- Learning by observing events and their consequences - Thorndike: cats & monkeys - Watson: monkeys -- observational learning doesn't work

Asocial Observational Learning

- Learning from observed events in the absence of a Model - Ghost Condition: To an observer, it appears that no person has caused movement. Can not be vicariously reinforced or punished

Operant Learning Model

- Learning is a change in behavior due to experience - environmental events that comprise experience - Not hypothetical and unobservable mental processes - Essence of Behaviorism

Variables Effecting Observational Learning

-Skilled vs. Unskilled Model - Difficulty of task - Characteristics of the Model - Characteristics of the Observer - Consequences of Observed Acts: ULTIMATE DETERMINANT - Consequences of the Observer's Behavior